1996 GS values?
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From: Castle Rock CO
St. Jude Donor '15
1996 GS values?
I have ran across a GS that I am very interested in and it is truly in fantastic shape. The pricing for GSs in such shape seems to be increasing at what, I believe, is a little too fast a rate. Has anyone seen very clean example go across Mecham, BJ or other auctions for sums that would support the increase in price?
Le Mans Master
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What's the increase in price? The 96 GS will be one of the more desirable C4's going forward since the only made a 1000 and by 96 was probably the best year mechanically for C4's since a lot of the bugs had been worked out so I certainly see the car appreciating more and more every year.
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St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17
What's the increase in price? The 96 GS will be one of the more desirable C4's going forward since the only made a 1000 and by 96 was probably the best year mechanically for C4's since a lot of the bugs had been worked out so I certainly see the car appreciating more and more every year.
I agree with most of this, but think the prices on the C4 GS are just to high right now. Sellers can ask what they like, but it doesn't mean it's going to sell.
Nice car none the less.
Le Mans Master
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Waxers vs. Warriors... It never ceases to amaze me what a paint scheme (albeit beautiful) and stick-on fender flairs will bring. But, reality is what it is, I recon. Unless you just have to have the GS trimmings, the std 96 with a manual transmission will get all the performance goodies, including the LT4. (I never could figure out why GM didn't put the 450 hp LT5 in the 96 GS. Now THAT would really have put the GS on the collector's list!!
But, then again, compared to the 350 hp LS1 in the 97 C3...the contrast would have been pretty stark, I recon!
A missed opportunity, methinks!)
But, then again, compared to the 350 hp LS1 in the 97 C3...the contrast would have been pretty stark, I recon! A missed opportunity, methinks!)
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St. Jude Donor '06
It never ceases to amaze me what a paint scheme (albeit beautiful) and stick-on fender flairs will bring. But, reality is what it is, I recon. Unless you just have to have the GS trimmings, the std 96 with a manual transmission will get all the performance goodies, including the LT4.
By the way, this is what is driving the price increase right now:
http://www.mecum.com/auctions/lot_de...0&entryRow=319
11 mile Grand Sport 'vert with red guts = $140,000 at Mecum Kissimmee in January 2014.
Last edited by j3studio; Jun 5, 2014 at 09:18 AM.
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St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17
Waxers vs. Warriors... It never ceases to amaze me what a paint scheme (albeit beautiful) and stick-on fender flairs will bring. But, reality is what it is, I recon. Unless you just have to have the GS trimmings, the std 96 with a manual transmission will get all the performance goodies, including the LT4. (I never could figure out why GM didn't put the 450 hp LT5 in the 96 GS. Now THAT would really have put the GS on the collector's list!! But, then again, compared to the 350 hp LS1 in the 97 C3...the contrast would have been pretty stark, I recon! A missed opportunity, methinks!)
But, then again, compared to the 350 hp LS1 in the 97 C3...the contrast would have been pretty stark, I recon! A missed opportunity, methinks!)Or at the very least made the LT4 exclusive to the GS....then I think they may have had something.
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One or two auctions do not make a trend, especially if they are museum cars. GS's have a very strong and vocal owners group, that has managed to keep interest in their cars. I think the long term trend for the non museum cars has been down, and will continue to decline. If you want an indication of where they are going, look at 78 pace cars (or any pace car for that matter) or the 82 collector edition. All examples of can't miss investments, that, will missed. Museum cars are subject to manipulation , with tax ramifications and all, so be very leery of examples that seem outrageously out of proportion. GS's are seen as collectable C4's, long term, the collectability depends more on the car then the generation.
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Thread Starter
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From: Castle Rock CO
St. Jude Donor '15
Obviously, I have gotten some of the typical "haters" comments. There is every reason the GS will become the MOST collectable of the C4 generation. I understand that a couple auctions don't spark a trend, but the increase is noticeable and significant. I'm not sure where the valuations will land or if the trend will hold in the short term. I expect that "waxer" GSs will attract large dollars in the coming years, probably still 5 years away from that, though.
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St. Jude Donor '15
By the way, this is what is driving the price increase right now:
http://www.mecum.com/auctions/lot_de...0&entryRow=319
11 mile Grand Sport 'vert with red guts = $140,000 at Mecum Kissimmee in January 2014.
http://www.mecum.com/auctions/lot_de...0&entryRow=319
11 mile Grand Sport 'vert with red guts = $140,000 at Mecum Kissimmee in January 2014.
Pretty impressive, but the car I am looking at certainly isn't an 11 mile, never driven example. It is in perfect shape(would certainly be a class 1 car).
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Waxers vs. Warriors... It never ceases to amaze me what a paint scheme (albeit beautiful) and stick-on fender flairs will bring. But, reality is what it is, I recon. Unless you just have to have the GS trimmings, the std 96 with a manual transmission will get all the performance goodies, including the LT4. (I never could figure out why GM didn't put the 450 hp LT5 in the 96 GS. Now THAT would really have put the GS on the collector's list!! But, then again, compared to the 350 hp LS1 in the 97 C3...the contrast would have been pretty stark, I recon! A missed opportunity, methinks!)
But, then again, compared to the 350 hp LS1 in the 97 C3...the contrast would have been pretty stark, I recon! A missed opportunity, methinks!)
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St. Jude Donor '16
Paul correct me if I am wrong but wasn't the issue that they stopped making the LT5 back in 1994 and that they only built as many 95 ZR1s as they had engines left over for? By 96 there were no more LT5 engines left to put in anything so they modified the heads on the LT1 and made it the LT4?
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Everything you say is true, but I believe there are more butts than seats for the Grand Sport. I expect values, especially for the ones with red guts, to continue to climb.
By the way, this is what is driving the price increase right now:
http://www.mecum.com/auctions/lot_de...0&entryRow=319
11 mile Grand Sport 'vert with red guts = $140,000 at Mecum Kissimmee in January 2014.
By the way, this is what is driving the price increase right now:
http://www.mecum.com/auctions/lot_de...0&entryRow=319
11 mile Grand Sport 'vert with red guts = $140,000 at Mecum Kissimmee in January 2014.
the GS vert is going to be the most desirable c4 in the future, hell, it apparently already is
lowest production of any
Drifting
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The problem I have with the value of the GS is it's so easy to make a clone compared to a ZR-1, just get your regular(nice low mileage)95 LT1 Admiral blue vette for under $10k put a white stripe on the hood, red hash mark, paint your calipers red, 315 tires and fender flares if its a coupe and voila you have your own GS for what 1/3 the price? Or go the 96 LT4 route and paint it, Who would know except your ncrs judge you can't do that with the ZR-1. You can have your own GS clone AND an early ZR1 for the price of a GS today I know what I'd rather have
Last edited by F&Yb0dluvr; Jun 5, 2014 at 06:24 PM.
Le Mans Master
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From: WilkesBarre PA
I think if I remember one of the reasons the LT5 wasn't used or there were no auto LT4s was the emisions cert for OBD2 in 96. It would have cost GM alot of money to have those combos certified for a one year combo. They also didn't want to go thru the expense of a widebody, and were forced by higher ups and bean counters to use production parts like the export flares.
Haters are going to hate. I love the color combo of the car. Since buying it back in 2000 we have gone thru a bunch of cars that I just didn't get the same feeling with as the GS. We have had 95 Polo coupe (heads and cam car tradded on the GS), 03 yellow coupe (heads and cam car), 02 Electron Blue Z06 (heads and cam car), 08 Black coupe (blown 550 rwhp), 10 white GS coupe (blown over 700rwhp), 13 60th GS coupe (boltons) and now the CTSV. I'll never sell the 96GS or Lightning.
Haters are going to hate. I love the color combo of the car. Since buying it back in 2000 we have gone thru a bunch of cars that I just didn't get the same feeling with as the GS. We have had 95 Polo coupe (heads and cam car tradded on the GS), 03 yellow coupe (heads and cam car), 02 Electron Blue Z06 (heads and cam car), 08 Black coupe (blown 550 rwhp), 10 white GS coupe (blown over 700rwhp), 13 60th GS coupe (boltons) and now the CTSV. I'll never sell the 96GS or Lightning.
Last edited by RichS; Jun 6, 2014 at 07:07 AM.
Thread Starter
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From: Castle Rock CO
St. Jude Donor '15
The problem I have with the value of the GS is it's so easy to make a clone compared to a ZR-1, just get your regular(nice low mileage)95 LT1 Admiral blue vette for under $10k put a white stripe on the hood, red hash mark, paint your calipers red, 315 tires and fender flares if its a coupe and voila you have your own GS for what 1/3 the price? Or go the 96 LT4 route and paint it, Who would know except your ncrs judge you can't do that with the ZR-1. You can have your own GS clone AND an early ZR1 for the price of a GS today I know what I'd rather have
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St. Jude Donor '06
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
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From: Philadelphia Burbs
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St. Jude Donor '06
One or two auctions do not make a trend, especially if they are museum cars. GS's have a very strong and vocal owners group, that has managed to keep interest in their cars. I think the long term trend for the non museum cars has been down, and will continue to decline. If you want an indication of where they are going, look at 78 pace cars (or any pace car for that matter) or the 82 collector edition. All examples of can't miss investments, that, will missed. Museum cars are subject to manipulation, with tax ramifications and all, so be very leery of examples that seem outrageously out of proportion. GS's are seen as collectable C4's, long term, the collectability depends more on the car then the generation.
Drifting
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From: Central FL
True but my post was about ownership not RESALE neighbors, friends or even people on this forum aren't going to jot down your vin number and run your vin, my point was they are so easy to clone compared to a ZR-1 and that hurts their value in MY EYES even though I think they are the best looking C4. They're getting close to being $35k over your average LT1 and I don't agree with that.
Last edited by F&Yb0dluvr; Jun 6, 2014 at 10:12 AM.
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St. Jude Donor '15
True but my post was about ownership not RESALE neighbors, friends or even people on this forum aren't going to jot down your vin number and run your vin, my point was they are so easy to clone compared to a ZR-1 and that hurts their value in MY EYES even though I think they are the best looking C4. They're getting close to being $35k over your average LT1 and I don't agree with that.